Positioning SRS Transmissions During a Discontinuous Reception Cycle

ABSTRACT

A base station of a network acts as a serving node for a user equipment (UE). The UE is a target UE in a positioning method initiated by the network. The base station compares discontinuous reception (DRX) timing information for a DRX cycle of the UE with positioning sounding reference signal (SRS) timing information for an SRS configuration of the UE, determines whether the positioning SRS is located within an inactive time of the DRX cycle and when the positioning SRS is located within the inactive time of the DRX cycle, modifies one of the DRX cycle or the SRS configuration.

PRIORITY/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 63/061,269 filed on Aug. 5, 2020 and entitled “Positioning SRSTransmissions During a Discontinuous Reception Cycle,” the entirety ofwhich is incorporated herein, by reference.

BACKGROUND

A user equipment (UE) may establish a connection to at least one of aplurality of different networks or types of networks. Variouspositioning methods exist for the network to locate the UE. In somepositioning methods, including multiple round trip time (RTT) and UplinkTime Difference of Arrival (UTDOA), a sounding reference signal (SRS) istransmitted from a target UE to each of multiple network nodes, i.e.positioning nodes, so that the uplink arrival timings of the respectiveSRSs at the positioning nodes may be determined, and a location of theUE determined therefrom.

To locate the UE, the network may request a serving node for a UE toconfigure the UE for the positioning SRS transmission. The network mayreceive the SRS configuration from the serving node and inform thepositioning nodes of the SRS configuration so that the positioning nodesmay monitor for the SRS from the UE. However, the network may not haveprecise information regarding when the UE will transmit the SRS and whenthe UE will not transmit the SRS. For example, the UE may not transmitperiodic or semi-persistent SRS during a discontinuous reception (DRX)inactive period. Additionally, the UE may not transmit periodic,semi-persistent, or aperiodic SRS during a measurement gap (MG). If thenetwork is not informed of the times when the UE cannot transmit the SRSthen positioning node resources may be wasted if the positioning nodesmonitor for the SRS during these times.

SUMMARY

Some exemplary aspects are related to a base station of a network actingas a serving node for a user equipment (UE), the UE being a target UE ina positioning method initiated by the network. The base station includesone or more processors that are configured to compare discontinuousreception (DRX) timing information for a DRX cycle of the UE withpositioning sounding reference signal (SRS) timing information for anSRS configuration of the UE, determine whether the positioning SRS islocated within an inactive time of the DRX cycle and when thepositioning SRS is located within the inactive time of the DRX cycle,modifying one of the DRX cycle or the SRS configuration.

Other exemplary aspects are related a method performed by a base stationof a network acting as a serving node for a user equipment (UE), the UEbeing a target UE in a positioning method initiated by the network. Themethod includes comparing discontinuous reception (DRX) timinginformation for a DRX cycle of the UE with positioning soundingreference signal (SRS) timing information for an SRS configuration ofthe UE, determining whether the positioning SRS is located within aninactive time of the DRX cycle and when the positioning SRS is locatedwithin the inactive time of the DRX cycle, modifying one of the DRXcycle or the SRS configuration.

Still further exemplary aspects are related to a base station of anetwork acting as a serving node for a user equipment (UE), the UE beinga target UE in a positioning method initiated by the network. The basestation has one or more processors configured to transmit, to a locationmanagement function (LMF) of the network, first information includingdiscontinuous reception (DRX) timing information for indicating a DRXactive time and a DRX inactive time in a DRX cycle of the UE andtransmit, to the LMF of the network, measurement gap (MG) timinginformation for the UE.

Other exemplary aspects are related to a user equipment having one ormore processors that perform operations. The operations include storinga configuration related to positioning sounding reference signals (SRS)and transmitting positioning SRS according to the configurationinformation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a network arrangement according to various exemplaryaspects.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary UE according to various exemplary aspects.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary network cell according to various exemplaryaspects.

FIG. 4 shows a network arrangement including a UE and three gNBsutilized in a positioning determination for the UE.

FIG. 5 shows a method for locating a user equipment (UE).

FIG. 6 shows a method for preventing a positioning SRS signaling periodfrom being aligned with a DRX inactive time for a user equipment (UE).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The exemplary aspects may be further understood with reference to thefollowing description and the related appended drawings, wherein likeelements are provided with the same reference numerals. The exemplaryaspects describe network configurations for monitoring for a positioningsounding reference signal (SRS) transmission from a user equipment UE.Specifically, the exemplary aspects describe configurations forpositioning nodes to monitor for a positioning SRS from a target UEduring a positioning method implemented by the network for the targetUE. The positioning nodes may receive information from the networkrelating to periods when the UE will or will not send the positioningSRS. The information may include a discontinuous reception (DRX)configuration for the UE, a measurement gap (MG) configuration for theUE, and/or other information, to be explained in detail below, thataffect the periods when the UE is allowed or prevented from sending thepositioning SRS.

The exemplary aspects are described with regard to a user equipment(UE). However, the use of a UE is provided for illustrative purposes.The exemplary aspects may be utilized with any electronic component thatmay establish a connection with a network and is configured with thehardware, software, and/or firmware to exchange information and datawith the network. Therefore, the UE as described herein is used torepresent any electronic component that is capable of providingpositioning SRS to a network cell so that the network cell may performpositioning measurements for the UE.

The exemplary aspects are described with regard to the network being a5G New Radio (NR) network and a base station being a next generationNode B (gNB). The 5G NR network may utilize a discontinuous receptioncycle (DRX) and a measurement gap (MG) and configure connected UEsaccordingly. The 5G NR network may also utilize various positioningmethods for locating connected UEs. However, the use of the 5G NRnetwork, the gNB, the DRX cycle, the MG, and the described positioningmethods are provided for illustrative purposes. The exemplary aspectsmay apply to any type of network that utilizes similar functionalities.

In addition, throughout this description, a gNB may be referred to as a“serving cell.” A gNB that is acting as a serving cell is the cell towhich a UE is currently connected, e.g., the UE may be in a RadioResource Control (RRC) Connected state with the gNB and may be activelyexchanging data and/or control information with the cell. A gNB may alsobe referred to as a “positioning gNB,” a “positioning node” or a“positioning cell.” A gNB acting as a positioning cell is a cell that isassisting in locating the UE, e.g., receiving positioning SRS signalsfrom the UE to assist in locating the UE. A gNB may simultaneously actas a serving cell and a positioning cell with respect to a UE or may actonly as a positioning cell for a UE.

Furthermore, throughout this description, the terms “positioning SRS” or“SRS” are used to describe the signals transmitted by the UE to allowthe network to locate the UE. Those skilled in the art will understandthat the SRS may also be also be used for other purposes in addition tolocation, e.g., channel estimation. Thus, the positioning SRS describedherein are not limited to any specific type of SRS.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary network arrangement 100 according to variousexemplary aspects. The exemplary network arrangement 100 includes a userequipment (UE) 110. Those skilled in the art will understand that the UEmay be any type of electronic component that is configured tocommunicate via a network, e.g., mobile phones, tablet computers,smartphones, phablets, embedded devices, wearable devices, Cat-Mdevices, Cat-M1 devices, MTC devices, eMTC devices, other types ofInternet of Things (IoT) devices, etc. It should also be understood thatan actual network arrangement may include any number of UEs being usedby any number of users. Thus, the example of a single UE 110 is merelyprovided for illustrative purposes.

The UE 110 may communicate directly with one or more networks. In theexample of the network configuration 100, the networks with which the UE110 may wirelessly communicate are a 5G NR radio access network (5GNR-RAN) 120, an LTE radio access network (LTE-RAN) 122 and a wirelesslocal access network (WLAN) 124. Therefore, the UE 110 may include a 5GNR chipset to communicate with the 5G NR-RAN 120, an LTE chipset tocommunicate with the LTE-RAN 122 and an ISM chipset to communicate withthe WLAN 124. However, the UE 110 may also communicate with other typesof networks (e.g. legacy cellular networks) and the UE 110 may alsocommunicate with networks over a wired connection. With regard to theexemplary aspects, the UE 110 may establish a connection with the 5GNR-RAN 122.

The 5G NR-RAN 120 and the LTE-RAN 122 may be portions of cellularnetworks that may be deployed by cellular providers (e.g., Verizon,AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, etc.). These networks 120, 122 may include, forexample, cells or base stations (Node Bs, eNodeBs, HeNBs, eNBS, gNBs,gNodeBs, macrocells, microcells, small cells, femtocells, etc.) that areconfigured to send and receive traffic from UEs that are equipped withthe appropriate cellular chip set. The WLAN 124 may include any type ofwireless local area network (WiFi, Hot Spot, IEEE 802.11x networks,etc.).

The UE 110 may connect to the 5G NR-RAN via at least one of the nextgeneration nodeB (gNB) 120A and/or the gNB 120B. Reference to two gNBs120A, 120B is merely for illustrative purposes. The exemplary aspectsmay apply to any appropriate number of gNBs. For example, three or moregNBs may be utilized as positioning gNBs for estimating positioning SRStransmitted from a target UE. The positioning gNBs may then providetheir respective measurements, e.g. SRS estimations, to the network sothat the network may determine a location of the target UE therefrom, tobe described in further detail below.

In addition to the networks 120, 122 and 124 the network arrangement 100also includes a cellular core network 130, the Internet 140, an IPMultimedia Subsystem (IMS) 150, and a network services backbone 160. Thecellular core network 130, e.g. the 5GC for the 5G NR network, may beconsidered to be the interconnected set of components that manages theoperation and traffic of the cellular network. The cellular core network130 also manages the traffic that flows between the cellular network andthe Internet 140. The core network 130 may include a location managementfunction (LMF) to support location determinations for a UE. As will bedescribed further below, in the exemplary aspects described herein, theLMF may instruct a serving cell to configure a target UE for SRStransmission, provide information to a plurality of positioning gNBs tomonitor for and estimate the positioning SRS, receive the SRSmeasurements from the positioning gNBs and determine a position of thetarget UE from the SRS measurements.

The IMS 150 may be generally described as an architecture for deliveringmultimedia services to the UE 110 using the IP protocol. The IMS 150 maycommunicate with the cellular core network 130 and the Internet 140 toprovide the multimedia services to the UE 110. The network servicesbackbone 160 is in communication either directly or indirectly with theInternet 140 and the cellular core network 130. The network servicesbackbone 160 may be generally described as a set of components (e.g.,servers, network storage arrangements, etc.) that implement a suite ofservices that may be used to extend the functionalities of the UE 110 incommunication with the various networks.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary UE 110 according to various exemplary aspects.The UE 110 will be described with regard to the network arrangement 100of FIG. 1. The UE 110 may represent any electronic device and mayinclude a processor 205, a memory arrangement 210, a display device 215,an input/output (I/O) device 220, a transceiver 225, and othercomponents 230. The other components 230 may include, for example, anaudio input device, an audio output device, a battery that provides alimited power supply, a data acquisition device, ports to electricallyconnect the UE 110 to other electronic devices, sensors to detectconditions of the UE 110, etc.

The processor 205 may be configured to execute a plurality of enginesfor the UE 110. For example, the engines may include an SRS engine 235for transmitting positioning SRS to each of a plurality of positioningnodes based on a network configuration for the positioning SRS. Thepositioning SRS is estimated by the positioning nodes to provide thenetwork with information so that the network may determine a location ofthe UE, to be described in further detail below.

The above referenced engine being an application (e.g., a program)executed by the processor 205 is only exemplary. The functionalityassociated with the engines may also be represented as a separateincorporated component of the UE 110 or may be a modular componentcoupled to the UE 110, e.g., an integrated circuit with or withoutfirmware. For example, the integrated circuit may include inputcircuitry to receive signals and processing circuitry to process thesignals and other information. The engines may also be embodied as oneapplication or separate applications. In addition, in some UEs, thefunctionality described for the processor 205 is split among two or moreprocessors such as a baseband processor and an applications processor.The exemplary aspects may be implemented in any of these or otherconfigurations of a UE.

The memory 210 may be a hardware component configured to store datarelated to operations performed by the UE 110. The display device 215may be a hardware component configured to show data to a user while theI/O device 220 may be a hardware component that enables the user toenter inputs. The display device 215 and the I/O device 220 may beseparate components or integrated together such as a touchscreen. Thetransceiver 225 may be a hardware component configured to establish aconnection with the 5G-NR RAN 120, the LTE RAN 122 etc. Accordingly, thetransceiver 225 may operate on a variety of different frequencies orchannels (e.g., set of consecutive frequencies).

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary network cell, in this case gNB 120A, accordingto various exemplary aspects. As noted above with regard to the UE 110,the gNB 120A may represent a serving cell for the UE 110. The gNB 120Amay represent any access node of the 5G NR network through which the UE110 may establish a connection and manage network operations.Additionally, the gNB 120A may represent a positioning node used in apositioning method implemented by the network to locate a target UE. ThegNB 120A illustrated in FIG. 3 may also represent the gNB 120B.

The gNB 120A may include a processor 305, a memory arrangement 310, aninput/output (I/O) device 320, a transceiver 325, and other components330. The other components 330 may include, for example, an audio inputdevice, an audio output device, a battery, a data acquisition device,ports to electrically connect the gNB 120A to other electronic devices,etc.

The processor 305 may be configured to execute a plurality of engines ofthe gNB 120A. For example, when the gNB 120A is a serving cell for a UE,the engines may include a UE configuration engine 335 for providing UEconfiguration information to the network, for example, informationrelating to periods when the UE is in a DRX inactive mode or has ameasurement gap (MG). The network may then distribute the information topositioning nodes so that the positioning nodes may monitor. When thegNB 120A is a positioning cell being used by the network to locate a UE,the engines may also include an SRS monitoring engine 340 for receivingthe UE configuration information from the network and monitoring forpositioning SRS from the UE in accordance therewith. For example, thegNB 120A may determine a period during which it will monitor for thepositioning SRS and a period during which it will not monitor for thepositioning SRS based on the UE configuration information, to bedescribed in further detail below, and estimate the positioning SRS whenit is received from the UE.

The above noted engines each being an application (e.g., a program)executed by the processor 305 is only exemplary. The functionalityassociated with the engines may also be represented as a separateincorporated component of the gNB 120A or may be a modular componentcoupled to the gNB 120A, e.g., an integrated circuit with or withoutfirmware. For example, the integrated circuit may include inputcircuitry to receive signals and processing circuitry to process thesignals and other information. In addition, in some gNBs, thefunctionality described for the processor 305 is split among a pluralityof processors (e.g., a baseband processor, an applications processor,etc.). The exemplary aspects may be implemented in any of these or otherconfigurations of a gNB.

The memory 310 may be a hardware component configured to store datarelated to operations performed by the UEs 110, 112. The I/O device 320may be a hardware component or ports that enable a user to interact withthe gNB 120A. The transceiver 325 may be a hardware component configuredto exchange data with the UEs 110, 112 and any other UE in the system100, e.g. if the gNB 120A serves as a PCell or an SCell to either orboth of the UEs 110, 112. The transceiver 325 may operate on a varietyof different frequencies or channels (e.g., set of consecutivefrequencies). Therefore, the transceiver 325 may include one or morecomponents (e.g., radios) to enable the data exchange with the variousnetworks and UEs.

As discussed above, a UE may be configured with a discontinuousreception (DRX) cycle to save power. The DRX cycle utilizes an activemode of data exchange processing and a sleep mode of inactivity. The UEmay use the active mode of processing at defined intervals to performscheduled operations such as performing measurements related to thenetwork conditions, transmitting (e.g., requests, measurement reports,uplink data etc.), and receiving (e.g. control channel information,reference signals, synchronization signals, downlink data, etc.). Thetime period that the UE may be scheduled to receive control channelinformation may be termed the OnDuration for the DRX cycle, or a DRXactive time. The OnDuration relates to a duration during which the UEmay perform operations that enable the UE to receive data that may betransmitted to the UE such as but not limited to, control channelinformation, an uplink grant, a downlink grant, reference signals,synchronization signals, payload data etc.

During the DRX cycle, when an OnDuration is not scheduled the UE mayhave an opportunity to utilize the sleep mode of inactivity and conservepower. This period may be referred to as a DRX inactive time. However,reference to a DRX cycle is for illustrative purposes, and differentnetworks may refer to similar concepts by a different name. Theexemplary aspects may apply to any scenario in which the UE transitionsbetween a power saving mode, where certain operations are suspended, andan active mode, where the operations are resumed, with regard to dataexchange processing.

The DRX cycle may have a predetermined duration N such as 100milliseconds (ms), 50 ms, 40 ms, 20 ms, etc. For example, at a time 0,there may be a OnDuration during which the active mode of processing isused. Subsequently, upon the conclusion of the OnDuration, the UE has anopportunity to utilize the sleep mode of inactivity. Then at a time N,there may be another OnDuration. Subsequently, the sleep mode is useduntil a time 2N. This process continues for the duration of the DRXcycle. Reference to the sleep mode of inactivity does not necessarilymean putting the processor, the transmitter, and the receiver of the UEto sleep, in hibernation, or in deactivation. For example, the processor(e.g., baseband and/or application) may continue to execute otherapplications or processes. The sleep mode relates to conserving power bydiscontinuing a continuous processing functionality relating tooperations that enable the UE to receive data that may be transmitted tothe UE and transmit data to the network. Further, reference to the DRXcycle being configured in ms units is merely for illustrative purposes,the exemplary aspects may utilize a DRX cycle that is based on subframesor any other suitable unit of time.

A UE may further be configured with a measurement gap (MG) forperforming frequency measurements while other capabilities, such astransmitting/receiving data, are suspended. The measurement gapconfiguration may depend on the capability of the UE, the active BWPand/or the operating frequency. The measurement gap may be of apredefined duration and repeat periodically. Typically, a UE will tuneaway from a currently connected network or frequency band during themeasurement gap to measure signals associated with other networks and/orat different frequencies than on which it is currently operating. Duringthis measurement gap, the UE is not available to the currently connectednetwork, e.g., it is neither transmitting signals to nor receivingsignals from the currently connected network.

In some methods for determining a position of a user equipment (UE),such as multiple round trip time (RTT) positioning or Uplink TimeDifference of Arrival (UTDOA), a positioning SRS is transmitted from atarget UE to a plurality of network nodes so that each of the nodes canestimate the uplink arrival timing from the UE. The network may then usethe information provided by the positioning nodes to determine aposition of the UE.

FIG. 4 shows a network arrangement 400 including a UE 402 and three gNBs404 utilized in a positioning determination for the UE 402. In theexample of FIG. 4, it may be considered that the UE 402 may be similarto the UE 110 described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. It may also beconsidered that the gNBs 404 may be similar to the gNB 120A and 120Bdescribed with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3. In the arrangement 400, thegNB 404 a is a serving cell for the UE 402 and gNBs 404 b and 404 c maybe configured by the network to be utilized as positioning nodes. ThegNB 404 a may also be used as a positioning node in the positioningmethod. The positioning gNBs 404 b and 404 c are configured to listenfor and estimate positioning SRS transmitted from the UE 402 and providethe measurements to the network, for example via a location managementfunction (LMF) at the 5G core network (5GC). The LMF may be considered apositioning server for coordinating the positioning SRS transmissionsfrom the UE, providing information to the positioning nodes formonitoring for the positioning SRS, and receiving SRS estimations fromthe positioning nodes.

In a typical positioning method, such as multiple RTT or UTDOA, the LMFmay request the serving gNB 404 a to configure the UE 402 for thepositioning SRS transmission, and knows the positioning SRSconfiguration from the serving gNB 404 a. The LMF distributes thepositioning SRS configuration information to all of the positioning gNBs404 so that, when the UE 402 transmits the positioning SRS to thepositioning gNBs, the gNBs 404 may estimate the positioning SRS from thetarget UE 402 based on the information provided by the LMF.

One potential issue for these exemplary positioning methods is whetherthe LMF knows the exact information pertaining to when the UE willtransmit the positioning SRS and/or when the UE will not transmit thepositioning SRS. If the LMF is unaware of when the UE cannot transmitthe SRS, gNB resources may be wasted when monitoring the positioning SRSfrom the UE.

In some exemplary aspects, a UE will not transmit periodic positioningSRS and semi-persistent (SP) positioning SRS outside the DRX activetime, but may transmit aperiodic SRS (if configured by network)regardless of the DRX status. If positioning SRS transmissions followthese exemplary aspects, the positioning gNBs that are not serving cellsfor the UE will not understand when the UE will be transmitting SRSs.

The exemplary aspects relate to providing information to positioninggNBs for establishing monitoring periods to monitor for positioning SRSfrom a target UE, for example, in a positioning method for the target UEimplemented by the network. The gNB monitoring may be dependent on a UEconfiguration for a DRX cycle and/or a measurement gap where the UE maybe unable to transmit the positioning SRS. Each of these exemplaryaspects will be described in greater detail below.

FIG. 5 shows a method 500 for locating a user equipment (UE). The method500 will be described with reference to the network arrangement 400. In505, a network (e.g., the LMF of core network 130) instructs a servingcell (e.g., gNB 404 a) serving a UE (e.g., UE 402) to configure the UE402 with a positioning SRS.

In 510, the serving gNB 404 a configures the UE 402 with the positioningSRS. For example, the UE 402 may be configured with time domain andfrequency domain resources to transmit the positioning SRS. In 515, theserving gNB 404 a provides UE 402 configuration information to thenetwork, e.g. the LMF, including, for example, DRX information and/or MGinformation.

In 520, the network distributes the UE 402 configuration information tothe positioning gNBs 404 b and 404 c. In 525, the positioning gNBs 404 band 404 c (and the serving gNB 404 a acting as a positioning gNB)monitor for the positioning SRS of the target UE 402 based on the UEconfiguration information. The gNBs 404 b and 404 c may monitor for areduced duration, relative to a gNB having no knowledge of the UEconfiguration, thus saving resources of the gNB. In 530, the positioninggNBs 404 a-c provide their respective SRS estimations to the network. In535, the network determines a position of the UE 402 based on the SRSestimations provided by the positioning gNBs 404 a-c.

Relative to the first exemplary aspect described above, in a firstoption, the UE may be configured in the following manner based on, forexample, network specifications. The UE is configured so that periodicand semi-persistent positioning SRSs cannot be transmitted during theDRX inactive time, while aperiodic positioning SRSs are transmittedregardless of the active/inactive time for DRX. The UE may alternatelyor additionally be configured so that no type of positioning SRS(periodic, semi-persistent, or aperiodic) can be transmitted within themeasurement gap (MG).

In the first option, the serving gNB 404 a of the target UE 402 may sendthe DRX information for the UE 402 to the core network 130. For example,the gNB 404 a may send the DRX information to the LMF via the NRPositioning Protocol A (NRPPa). The NRPPa includes procedures forhandling the transfer of positioning related information between an NRnode and the LMF. The DRX information may include (but is not limitedto): DRX timing information, e.g. drx-LongCycleStartOffset,drx-ShortCycle, drx-ShortCycleTimer, drx-onDurationTimer, for indicatingwhere the DRX active time and inactive time are for the UE, and areference time for the DRX timeline that is used by the LMF tounderstand the absolute timing of the DRX on the UE. The reference timeis used because the timing of the UE/gNB may be different from a localtime at the LMF.

The serving gNB 404 a of the target UE 402 may additionally oralternatively send UE measurement gap (MG) information to the LMF viathe NRPPa. The MG information may include (but is not limited to): MGtiming information, e.g. MGRP (Measurement gap repetition period), MGL(Measurement gap length), MGTA (Measurement gap timing advance), and areference time for the MG timeline. Similar to the DRX reference time,the MG reference time is used by the LMF to understand the absolutetiming of the MG on the UE.

The LMF distributes the above mentioned DRX information (if used) and MGinformation (if used) to all positioning gNBs, e.g., gNBs 404 b and 404c.

In other exemplary aspects, the UE 402 is configured in a similar mannerto the first option. For example, the UE 402 is configured so thatperiodic and semi-persistent positioning SRSs are not transmitted duringthe DRX inactive time, while aperiodic positioning SRSs are transmittedregardless of the active/inactive time for DRX. The UE 402 is furtherconfigured so that no type of positioning SRS can be transmitted withinthe measurement gap (MG).

In these aspects, the positioning gNBs 404 b-c do not receive any DRX orMG information from the serving gNB 404 a. The positioning gNBs 404 b-cwill attempt to receive the positioning SRS from the UE 402 regardlessof the DRX and MG status of the UE 402, e.g., the positioning gNBs 404b-c will listen for the positioning SRS from the UE 402 during a timeperiod the gNBs 404 b-c expect that the UE 402 is transmittingpositioning SRS without regard to the DRX or MG status of the UE 402.

Relative to the first exemplary aspect described above, in a secondoption, a UE is configured so that periodic and semi-persistentpositioning SRS are not transmitted during the DRX inactive time, whileaperiodic positioning SRS are transmitted regardless of theactive/inactive time for DRX, similar to the first option. However, inthe second option, the UE may support a per-frame measurement gap. Ifthe UE supports only per-UE MG (e.g., a same measurement gap applied toboth FR1 and FR2), positioning SRS cannot be transmitted within the MG,similar to the first option. If the UE supports per-FR MG (e.g., twoindependent gap patterns are defined for FR1 and FR2, respectively),then the positioning SRS in FR1 cannot be transmitted within the FR1 MG,but may be transmitted within the FR2 MG. Positioning SRS in FR2 cannotbe transmitted within the FR2 MG, but may be transmitted within the FR1MG. If per-UE MG is configured by the network, then positioning SRS (inFR1 or FR2) cannot be transmitted within per-UE MG.

In the second option, similar to the first option, the serving gNB 404 aof the target UE 402 may send the DRX information to the LMF via theNRPPa. The DRX information may include the same information discussedabove relative to the first option, i.e., DRX timing information, e.g.drx-LongCycleStartOffset, drx-ShortCycle, drx-ShortCycleTimer,drx-onDurationTimer, for indicating where the DRX active time andinactive time are for the UE 402, and a reference time for the DRXtimeline that is used by the LMF to understand the absolute timing ofthe DRX for the UE 402.

The serving gNB 404 a of the target UE 402 may additionally oralternatively send UE measurement gap (MG) information to the LMF viathe NRPPa. In the second option, the MG information includes the MGtype, e.g. per-UE MG, FR1 MG or FR2 MG. The MG information may furtherinclude (but is not limited to): MG timing information, e.g. MGRP(Measurement gap repetition period), MGL (Measurement gap length), MGTA(Measurement gap timing advance), and a reference time for the MGtimeline. The LMF distributes the above mentioned DRX (if configured)and MG information (if configured) to all positioning gNBs 404 b-c.

In other exemplary aspects, the UE 402 is configured in a similar mannerto the second option discussed above. For example, the UE 402 isconfigured so that periodic and semi-persistent positioning SRS are nottransmitted during the DRX inactive time, while aperiodic positioningSRSs are transmitted regardless of the active/inactive time for DRX. Ifthe UE 402 supports only per-UE MG (e.g., a same measurement gap appliedto both FR1 and FR2), all types of positioning SRS cannot be transmittedwithin the MG. Otherwise, if the UE supports per-FR MG (e.g., twoindependent gap patterns are defined for FR1 and FR2, respectively),then the positioning SRS in FR1 cannot be transmitted within the FR1 MG,but may be transmitted within the FR2 MG. Positioning SRS in FR2 cannotbe transmitted within the FR2 MG, but may be transmitted within the FR1MG. If per-UE MG is configured by the network, then all types ofpositioning SRS (in FR1 or FR2) cannot be transmitted within per-UE MG.

In these exemplary aspects, the positioning gNBs 404 b-c do not receiveany DRX or MG information from the serving gNB 404 a. The positioninggNBs 404 b-c will attempt to receive the positioning SRS from the UE 404regardless of the DRX status of the UE 402. For MG, the positioning gNBs404 b-c will attempt to receive the positioning SRS from the UE outsidethe corresponding MG duration.

In the exemplary aspects discussed above, the UE was limited totransmitting the periodic and SP positioning SRS during the DRX activestate only. According to further exemplary aspects, the UE is allowed totransmit periodic and SP positioning SRS during the DRX inactive time.

In a first option, when the UE 402 is allowed to transmit thepositioning SRS during the inactive time, the UE 402 may decide whetherto transmit a configured periodical or SP positioning SRS during the DRXinactive time based on various considerations. For example, in oneaspect, the UE 402 may determine to transmit or to not transmit based ona power consumption evaluation. In another aspect, the UE 402 maydetermine to not transmit a positioning SRS, or alternatively, totransmit the positioning SRS, if this positioning SRS is also configuredfor a purpose other than positioning (e.g. UL channel estimation).

In these aspects, all positioning gNBs 404 a-c will monitor for thepositioning SRS regardless of UE DRX status, even if it is uncertain asto whether the UE 402 will transmit the positioning SRS during theinactive period.

In a second option, when the UE 402 is allowed to transmit during theinactive period, the UE 402 may be required by the network to transmit aconfigured periodical or SP positioning SRS in the DRX inactive time. Inthese aspects, all positioning gNBs 404 a-c will monitor all thosepositioning SRS regardless of UE DRX status.

In other exemplary aspects, the serving cell 404 a may configure the UE402 so that the SRS signaling period is not scheduled during a DRXinactive period. FIG. 6 shows a method 600 for preventing a positioningSRS signaling period from being aligned with a DRX inactive time for auser equipment (UE). In 605, after configuring the positioning SRS forthe UE 402, the serving gNB 404 a checks the UE DRX status and theperiodical or SP positioning SRS configurations for the UE 402. In 610,the serving gNB 404 a compares the DRX and SRS configurations.Specifically, the serving gNB 404 a compares the timing of the DRXinactive time relative to the timing of the SRS transmission.

In 615, if the configured periodical or SP positioning SRS is locatedwithin the inactive time of the DRX, the serving gNB 404 a changes theDRX configuration of the UE 402. In one option, the serving gNB 404 achanges the DRX configuration so that the configured periodical or SPpositioning SRS is located within the active time of the DRX. In anotheroption, the serving gNB 404 a changes the DRX configuration of the UE402 to non-DRX. In non-DRX, the UE 402 is required to transmit all theconfigured periodical or SP positioning SRS at the allocated time.

Alternatively, in 620, if the configured periodical or SP positioningSRS is located within the inactive time of the DRX, the serving gNB 404a changes the UE 402 periodical or SP positioning SRS. In one option,the serving gNB 404 a changes the periodical or SP positioning SRS ofthe UE 402 so that the re-configured periodical or SP positioning SRS islocated within the active time of the DRX. In another option, theserving gNB 404 a changes the periodical or SP positioning SRS of the UE402 to aperiodical SRS. In an aperiodical SRS configuration, the UE 402transmits the aperiodical positioning SRS based on a network indication.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the above-describedexemplary aspects may be implemented in any suitable software orhardware configuration or combination thereof. An exemplary hardwareplatform for implementing the exemplary aspects may include, forexample, an Intel x86 based platform with compatible operating system, aWindows OS, a Mac platform and MAC OS, a mobile device having anoperating system such as iOS, Android, etc. In a further example, theexemplary aspects of the above described method may be embodied as aprogram containing lines of code stored on a non-transitory computerreadable storage medium that, when compiled, may be executed on aprocessor or microprocessor.

It is well understood that the use of personally identifiableinformation should follow privacy policies and practices that aregenerally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmentalrequirements for maintaining the privacy of users. In particular,personally identifiable information data should be managed and handledso as to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use,and the nature of authorized use should be clearly indicated to users.

Although this application described various aspects each havingdifferent features in various combinations, those skilled in the artwill understand that any of the features of one aspect may be combinedwith the features of the other aspects in any manner not specificallydisclaimed or which is not functionally or logically inconsistent withthe operation of the device or the stated functions of the disclosedaspects.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications may be made in the present disclosure, without departingfrom the spirit or the scope of the disclosure. Thus, it is intendedthat the present disclosure cover modifications and variations of thisdisclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended claimsand their equivalent.

What is claimed:
 1. A base station of a network acting as a serving nodefor a user equipment (UE), the UE being a target UE in a positioningmethod initiated by the network, comprising: one or more processorsconfigured to: compare discontinuous reception (DRX) timing informationfor a DRX cycle of the UE with positioning sounding reference signal(SRS) timing information for an SRS configuration of the UE; determinewhether the positioning SRS is located within an inactive time of theDRX cycle; and when the positioning SRS is located within the inactivetime of the DRX cycle, modifying one of the DRX cycle or the SRSconfiguration.
 2. The base station of claim 1, wherein the DRX cycle ismodified such that the positioning SRS is located within an active timeof the DRX cycle.
 3. The base station of claim 1, wherein the DRX cycleis modified to a non-DRX.
 4. The base station of claim 1, wherein thepositioning SRS is a periodical positioning SRS or a semi-persistentpositioning SRS.
 5. The base station of claim 1, wherein the SRSconfiguration is modified such that a reconfigured positioning SRS islocated within an active time of the DRX cycle.
 6. The base station ofclaim 1, wherein the SRS configuration is modified to an aperiodicalpositioning SRS.
 7. A method, comprising: at a base station of a networkacting as a serving node for a user equipment (UE), the UE being atarget UE in a positioning method initiated by the network: comparingdiscontinuous reception (DRX) timing information for a DRX cycle of theUE with positioning sounding reference signal (SRS) timing informationfor an SRS configuration of the UE; determining whether the positioningSRS is located within an inactive time of the DRX cycle; and when thepositioning SRS is located within the inactive time of the DRX cycle,modifying one of the DRX cycle or the SRS configuration.
 8. The methodof claim 7, wherein the DRX cycle is modified such that the positioningSRS is located within an active time of the DRX cycle.
 9. The method ofclaim 7, wherein the DRX cycle is modified to non-DRX.
 10. The method ofclaim 7, wherein the positioning SRS is a periodical positioning SRS ora semi-persistent positioning SRS.
 11. The method of claim 7, whereinthe SRS configuration is modified so that a reconfigured positioning SRSis located within an active time of the DRX cycle.
 12. The method ofclaim 7, wherein the SRS configuration is changed to an aperiodicalpositioning SRS.
 13. A base station of a network acting as a servingnode for a user equipment (UE), the UE being a target UE in apositioning method initiated by the network, comprising: one or moreprocessors configured to: transmit, to a location management function(LMF) of the network, first information including discontinuousreception (DRX) timing information for indicating a DRX active time anda DRX inactive time in a DRX cycle of the UE; and transmit, to the LMFof the network, measurement gap (MG) timing information for the UE. 14.The base station of claim 13, wherein the DRX timing informationincludes at least one of a drx-LongCycleStartOffset, a drx-ShortCycle, adrx-ShortCycleTimer, or a drx-onDurationTimer.
 15. The base station ofclaim 13, wherein the MG timing information includes one of ameasurement gap repetition period, a measurement gap length, or ameasurement gap timing advance.
 16. The base station of claim 13,wherein the MG timing information includes a MG type, the MG type beingone of per-UE or per-frame.
 17. The base station of claim 16, whereinthe UE supports the per-frame MG type, wherein an independent gappattern is defined for FR1 and FR2, respectively, and the UEconfiguration information includes MG timing information relating to FR1or FR2.
 18. The base station of claim 13, wherein the DRX timinginformation and the MG timing information are sent to the LMF via a NRPositioning Protocol A (NRPPa).
 19. The base station of claim 13,wherein the DRX timing information includes a reference time for the DRXcycle.
 20. The base station of claim 13, wherein the MG timinginformation includes a reference time for the UE.
 21. A user equipment,comprising: one or more processors configured to perform operationscomprising: storing a configuration related to positioning soundingreference signals (SRS); and transmitting positioning SRS according tothe configuration information.
 22. The UE of claim 21, wherein theconfiguration requires the UE to transmit periodic and semi-persistentpositioning SRS during the DRX inactive time.
 23. The UE of claim 21,wherein the UE transmits periodic and semi-persistent positioning SRSduring the DRX inactive time based on, at least, a power consumptionevaluation by the UE.
 24. The UE of claim 21, wherein the UE transmitsperiodic and semi-persistent positioning SRS during the DRX inactivetime based on, at least, whether the positioning SRS are used for apurpose in addition to location.